Jack's initial objective was to get Solana's address. Come back some other day with a plan. Sweep her off her feet with an offer she couldn't resist. He'd have his private investigators create a full report on her, discover her weakness and exploit it to get what he wanted. Everyone had a weakness.

Yet when they pulled up to the small house and the elderly woman made her way down the steps and into Solana's arms, curiosity consumed Jack. He found himself out of the car, taking her bag from George, telling the chauffeur to wait, and inserting himself into the reunion.

Being asked for coffee was twice the bonus. He suspected the owner of the house made an excellent cup, but more important, the glare he drew from Solana sent his blood pumping.

Besides, the only thing waiting for him was an empty penthouse and an inbox full of emails from his assistant. He had time for coffee. "What's Natilla?"

The older woman patted the white curls surrounding her tanned, wrinkled face. "Oh, a Columbian delight my dear."

No one had called Jack dear since the woman his uncle hired to look after him when he gained guardianship of Jack at five years old. Mrs. Winston, or Nanny as he knew her, called him dear until the day he left his parents' mansion for boarding school at twelve. Ximena using the term, stirred old sensations deep down in the tiny corner of his heart where he hid the few good memories he had.

"It's a Navidad, that's Christmas to you, treat." Ximena gazed lovingly at her granddaughter, and a pang of envy jabbed at Jack's gut. "Solana couldn't make it home this last Navidad and it's her favourite. My custard has a secret ingredient and if you're a good boy, I'll tell you."

Jack had the urge to be a good boy, a very good boy.

The front door squeaked on its hinges as the metal swung wide and a young boy with closely cropped dark hair bounded out and down the steps. "Solly." The child slammed into Solana, arms cinched around her legs. Did she have a son? This made Jack hesitate. He didn't like children and the feeling was mutual.

"Luc." Solana struggled to pick the child up and swing him around. "Did you grow?"

Back on solid ground, Luc beamed. "Two inches. Abuela measured."

Solana ran her hand over the top of the boy's head. "I didn't give you permission. You'll have to take it back."

"I can't shrink. Only Abuela does that." Warm eyes, similar to their grandmothers, flew to her and then at the man standing beside her. "Who are you?"

"Who are you?" Jack spat out the retort without thinking.

Ximena threaded her arm through Jack's and squeezed. "Jack, I'd like you to meet my grandson, Luciano."

The boy pouted. "Luc." A small hand jutted toward Jack. "Nice to meet you, sir."

The offered hand surprised Jack, yet he admired the manners of the child. He wrapped his own around the tiny fingers. They were warm and soft, his grip light, yet firm. "Nice to meet you as well."

On contact, Luciano pumped their hands up and down three times. "Are you my sister's friend?"

Sister? So not Solana's son. Good to know.

Solana tugged Luc back by the shoulders, pressing him against her front. "Jack gave me a ride home."

Luc bent to the side to see past Jack and Ximena and pointed at the limo. "You drive that?"

Jack bent down to meet Luc eye to eye. "My chauffeur drives. I sit in the back."

"Can I have a ride?"

A gruff voice cut through the air. "Maybe later, Luc." Jack had to squint when he found the source of the voice, the sun shining off the newcomer's bald head. The man had his hairy arm draped over Solana's shoulders.

Once again, Ximena offered introductions. "Jack, this is Abraham."

The other man dragged his thumb along Solana's neck and stuck his chin in the air. "Bram."

Jack straightened to his full height, towering over the smaller man. What Abraham had in hard packed muscles, Jack more than made up for in elevation. Tattoos peaked out from under the other man's black T-shirt and heavy metal rings encased the fingers stroking Solana's skin. Baggy grey sweatpants and black flip-flops completed Abraham's casual attire. Jack tried not to sneer at the man's lack of taste or respect for his appearance.

His gaze drifted to Solana's left hand. If she were married, this task might be harder. Although her hand was balled into a fist, there was no evidence of a ring and he hadn't noticed one before. Chances are they weren't married. If Abraham was her boyfriend, that left Jack more leeway to play with. Better still, if this man were, say, another brother or cousin. Yes, cousin would be a good bet, given he appeared to be the same age as Solana.

Ximena took Jack's arm again, this time leaning a little on him. "Shall we go inside?"

Luc ran up the steps and held the door open for everyone. They ushered Jack into a tight hallway, with an arched entrance to a cramped by bright living room. Light from the bay window illuminated the pale yellow walls and rich coconut-shell brown floors. Two wingback chairs flanked the window, across from a small overstuffed red couch. Stuffed into a corner was an antique writing desk, beside a bookshelf and a cabinet crowded full of curiosities. A large screen tv dominated the other wall.

"Let's sit for a moment." Ximena steered Jack to the couch. He eased her into the cushions before taking the spot beside her. Abraham plopped himself into one of the wing chairs, legs spread apart, while Solana remained standing in the archway, Luc tucked into her side.

Solana's gaze swung between her grandmother and Jack as if she was trying to decide something. Jack watched her face harden and assumed she made up her mind. "Luc and I'll get the coffee started."

"Thank you, My Heart and Sol." Ximena rearranged the folds on the skirt of her thin pink dress.

"I'll take a beer." Jack growled internally at Abraham's order. Didn't he know Solana had been on her feet all day? Running around all night as well. The man should get up and help her, not expect Solana to wait on him.

"Perhaps I should help Solana." Jack shifted to the edge of his seat. He'd show this thug what proper manners were.

Ximena placed a weathered hand on his. "No dear, let her be. She needs a moment." The hand squeezed. "How did you come to meet my Heart and Sol?"

"Solana?" The older woman nodded. "We bumped into each other in Vegas and then again on my flight back here to LA."

"We're so happy she's finally left that sinful town." Ximena waved a hand. "Oh, don't look at me like that, Jack. I'm not a prude. I don't object to people having fun. What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas and all that. But—" she looked over her shoulder "—I don't think it was good for Solana. She was all alone there."

"Thanks to Lincoln." Abraham stretched his neck as if he was swallowing nails.

"Who's Lincoln?"

Ximena leaned in to Jack. "Solana's ex-business partner. Despicable man. Took advantage of My Heart and Sol. We don't talk about it." Jack found this little tidbit interesting. His investigators now had two reports to compile — he wanted info on this Lincoln as well.

"What don't we talk about?" Solana's voice made Ximena jump.

"What happens in Vegas. You know the saying, right?" His quick cover earned him a reward: a smile from Ximena. Those old emotions bubbled in his chest as Jack basked in the admiration of the older woman.

Ximena pushed herself off the couch. "I'll get the Natilla. Luc, why don't you help me." The boy hopped up and took his grandmother's extended hand.

Abraham leaned forward, planting his elbows on his knees, and rested his chin on his clasped hands. "Good to have you home Sol. Mrs. Morena missed you."

Solana leaned her head against the wall. "I've missed her. Thanks for helping out while I was gone."

Jack had the distinct impression these two were speaking in some kind of code. Years in the boardroom, sitting across from teams of lawyers seeking to finagle slight advantages out of him or not give away their position, he'd studied how to interpret the signals.

"What will you do now your back?" Jack's ears perked up at Abraham's question.

She shrugged. "Get a job."

"You know there's always a place for you at the diner."

Solana's face squished up and Jack, not for the first time, marvelled at her lack of a poker face. "Perhaps you should try your hand at something where you're not serving drinks. Wouldn't want to spill on any more customers."

The remark earned him a lancing glare. "Hard not to when ignorant asses don't bother watching where they're going and slam into you."

Jack stood up. "Not my fault, sweetheart. You were the one on the dance floor."

Solana pushed herself off the wall. "It's a bar. People walk around with drinks. I'm not a member of Cirque Du Soleil."

Little sparks ignited in the pale green of Solana's irises as Jack stepped closer. "No, you're more suited for the shooting gallery, as long as there's champagne involved."

"You deserved that—"

The sound of china smashing interrupted their discord. Solana's eyes widened like a deer in headlights and Luc cried first for his grandmother and then for Solana. The room erupted as all three adults jolted from the living room. Jack on Solana's heels as they entered the kitchen.